Pilates is a well-known, tried-and-true method of exercise practiced by millions of people globally.
The benefits that come with practicing Pilates are vast: strengthening your whole body, increasing your range of motion and flexibility, boosting your energy, reducing stress, and many other boons come your way with this low-impact exercise!
So, what can you expect in terms of investment into beginning a Pilates habit? What equipment do you need? How much do classes cost? Can you practice on your own? Where do you find equipment and teachers for Pilates?
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Class at a gym or studio (matwork) | $25-$50 |
| Studio class with an apparatus | $30-$85 |
| YouTube or self-paced classes | $5-$10 |
| Private lessons | $35-$70 |
If you’re feeling intimidated to start this amazing physical fitness activity, fear not! Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the practical aspects of the cost of becoming a Pilates practitioner.
What to Know Before Starting Pilates Classes
Before you spend a lot of money on equipment and classes, you likely want to know a little bit about why you should invest in this method of exercise.
Pilates is a type of exercise that has been specifically designed for total body conditioning, strengthening, and improving stability. But, do you know about the fascinating history behind the popular exercise regime?
The Birth of Pilates
Pilates is a relatively new system of exercise. Even though many people compare Pilates to yoga (and hybrid yogilates classes are common), the two practices exist at opposite ends of the timeline.
Yoga is thousands of years old, stemming from ancient India. Oppositely, Pilates was developed in the 1910s-1920s by a German circus performer.
Joseph Pilates was familiar with ill health; he was very sickly in his childhood, suffering from conditions like rickets, rheumatic fever, and asthma. He was able to overcome his conditions and eventually became a wrestler, bodybuilder, diver, skier, and gymnast (to name just a few of his athletic endeavors).
Joseph was working as a circus performer and boxer in England when WWI broke out. In 1912, he and other Germans were arrested and placed in internment camps due to their nationality. Pilates was held on the Isle of Man, and it was here that Pilates (the man) developed Pilates (the practice).
To help other German prisoners who were becoming weak and ill due to the conditions of the internment camp, Joseph invented an exercise machine that could be attached to a hospital bed so bedridden people could exercise and get stronger without over-exerting themselves.
He combined breathing practices with stretches and movements (not unlike yoga) to help improve the health of the prisoners. And it really worked! The physical movements helped their bodies and minds, contributing to overall good health.
The Principles of Pilates
After the war, in the early 1920s, Joseph and his wife Clara moved to the United States and began teaching this exercise method. At first, it was mostly popular among dancers because it could help them recover from injuries and help their mobility and flexibility.
Joseph published some booklets, which increased public awareness of his methods and created more fans. At the time, the exercise regimen was known as Contrology, but after Joseph passed away in 1967, it became known as The Pilates Method.
Clara went on to teach the method to a handful of others (now known as ‘The Pilates Elders’) and they, in turn, taught others. This is how the methodology of Pilates survived after the passing of its inventor and his wife.
Joseph Pilates invented Contrology to follow a set of 3 principles.
- Breath
- Whole-Body Health
- Whole-Body Commitment
These principles encompass the mind, body, and spirit.
Currently, the 3 principles have been extrapolated to 6, which are at the center of current teaching modalities:
- Control: This central theory emphasizes achieving a higher-quality workout by mastering muscle and body control, and utilizing inner energy to maximize the benefits of the movements.
- Breath: Synchronized breath enhances movement, amplifies energy in poses, and boosts limb strength and flexibility to maximize potential.
- Concentration: Pilates requires full mental engagement, resulting in both physical exhaustion and a comfortably tired psychological state post-session, Pilates is a moving meditation, like yoga.
- Flow: Focus on seamless, graceful, and fluid movements, ensuring unity and conservation of energy throughout the session, and emphasizing the significance of each movement.
- Centering: Pilates emphasizes utilizing the body's core or 'powerhouse,' akin to the Sacral chakra in yoga, as the pivotal source of energy and movement. Deep breaths are used to engage this central area for seamless flow in exercises.
- Precision: Precise and aligned movements are crucial for cultivating control, flow, mental clarity, and focus, enhancing muscle memory, preventing injuries, and maximizing physical and mental benefits.
Control, Breath, Concentration, Flow, Centering, and Precision
How Much Do Pilates Classes Cost?
Depending on the method you use for practicing Pilates, the price will differ. So, let’s take a look at the common ways of learning Pilates and how much you can expect for Pilates prices.
Class at a Gym or Studio (Matwork)
Gyms and studios are great for beginner Pilates classes near me because they will be more affordable than private classes, but you also have someone in person who can correct you or offer advice if you’re confused.
If you’re a member of a gym that offers Pilates classes, you can likely attend these classes at no additional cost.
Gyms that offer Pilates classes tend to have higher membership costs than budget gyms, so you can expect this membership to be about $50-$100 per month if you go this route.
How much is a Pilates class? At a Pilates studio, the average cost of a Pilates class tends to be between $25-$50 depending on your location. Many studios will offer discounted prices if you buy class packs or become a monthly member.
at a gym or studio
Studio Classes with an Apparatus
Since instructing attendees on apparatuses takes more skill and the studio will need to make the money back on their equipment, these classes tend to be more expensive.
per session
You can find reformer pilates classes near me easily when you search on Superprof!
YouTube or Self-Paced Classes
Practice for free with YouTube workouts, or with a low-cost investment in a professional self-paced online video catalog (which replaced the typical tape/DVD format in the days of yore aka the 80s and 90s.)
The downside of this type of class is that you have to personally buy any equipment you want to use and you won’t have a real person to help you perfect your technique or correct you if you’re doing something potentially dangerous.
If you purchase a Pilates course, the average Pilates class cost is likely to be between $5-$10 per class, and if you rewatch the recordings, the price per class reduces even more!
Private Pilates Classes
If you're committed to Pilates and looking to address health issues, manage chronic pain, or advance your skills, hiring a personal trainer is the best step forward.
With a service like Superprof, you can easily find a private, personal Pilates instructor! Search for the best online Pilates classes when you simply search “private Pilates classes near me” on Superprof and be directed to amazing Pilates instructors for all schedules and budgets.
Instructors can teach online and in person.
If you take in-person classes, you may be able to go to your instructor’s studio and use their equipment, or they may have portable equipment that they can bring to you. Some gyms and studios will also allow private instruction.
If you take online Pilates classes, you may be able to arrange video classes while you use equipment at a gym or studio, but it’s more likely that you’ll be practicing at home with whatever equipment you own.
Private lessons tend to range from $35 - $70 per class.
per class
What Equipment Do I Need to Learn Pilates?
Pilates can be practiced in a few different ways. Depending on your budget and what kind of practice you want to have, you can either start Pilates today nearly for free or invest a healthy chunk of change. The choice is yours!
Minimum Equipment Needed for Home & Studio Practice
You can practice Matwork at home without any expensive equipment. All you need to get started for a home practice, practice where you can use studio equipment, or Pilates online classes is:
- A good quality Yoga or Pilates mat
- Enough space around you so that you don't bump into things while in motion
- Comfortable fitness wear that is breathable and does not restrict your movements
- A large bottle of water to stay hydrated
- Pilates or yoga socks (optional)
You can attend different types of Pilates classes, some of which will require equipment and some which will not. It is unlikely that you would need to provide any more than the above when attending classes, as larger equipment is usually provided by the studio or gym. Often you can even rent a mat for class, but it is still wise to invest in your own basic equipment for studio and home practice.
Additional Equipment for Matwork
You can unlock more Pilates exercises with some basic equipment. Research what kinds of exercises you want to do so you can be sure to invest in the equipment that will be the most beneficial to you.
Here’s a breakdown of all the small equipment you might like to have for Pilates. With fitness equipment, you’ll find that there are always cheaper versions as well as more expensive ones. It’s up to you if you want to buy a certain brand name, material, or longer-lasting (higher-quality) item.
| Equipment | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| BASICS | |
| Pilates/Yoga Mat (6mm thick, nonslip) | $20 - $40 |
| Form-fitting athletic wear | $20 - $60 |
| Water bottle | $5 - $15 |
| Pilates/Yoga Socks | $5 - $15 |
| TOTAL | $50 - $130 |
| ACCESSORIES | |
| Foam roller | $10 - $20 |
| Light handweights | $10 - $15 |
| Resistance band | $5 - $10 |
| Pilates ball | $10 - $20 |
| Yoga ball | $15 - $30 |
| Bosu ball | $75 - $120 |
| Tennis ball | $2 |
| Lacrosse ball | $5 |
| Franklin ball | $30 |
| Chair | $10 |
| Yoga block | $5 - $10 |
| Pilates ring | $15 - $40 |
| Glide discs | $5 - $15 |
| Long and short bars | $5 - $10 |
Many items can be substituted for a household equivalent. For example, bars can be substituted for PVC pipe, a curtain rod, or a broom handle.
Average Cost of Pilates Apparatuses
While it’s not compulsory to buy a Pilates apparatus, you can invest in one that works for your needs so you can practice at home whenever you’d like.
Remember that if you attend classes with a trainer or at a gym or studio, they will likely have an apparatus for you to use.
Just like the smaller equipment, there are always budget and high-end options to choose from.
Reformer
The Reformer is a massage table-like apparatus that allows practitioners to do more exercises without standing up.
$600 - $2,500
Cadillac
This apparatus allows practitioners to practice standing Pilates exercises.
$1,700 - $5,000
Cadillac Reformer
A combination of the two aforementioned machines, this hybrid features the best parts of the horizontal and vertical exercises.
$3,500 - $5,200
Tower
A Tower is like a more basic version of the Cadillac. It simply has fewer options.
$300 - $2,100
Wunda Chair
A peculiar-looking chair, this item is usually made of wood or metal with a soft seat. Some models also have handles.
$500 - $2,350
Ladder Barrel
This item, reminiscent of a playground structure, is usually made of wood or metal and a soft material like rubber. One side is a rounded hump, like a sideways barrel, and the other is a small ladder.
$600 - $2,500
How Much Does Pilates Cost?
When you take into consideration all the different choices of equipment and class types, the price of Pilates can vary depending on your budget.
All you really need to get started is a yoga mat and YouTube, meaning you can get started for about $10!
If you want to invest more resources, you can get accessories and/or attend classes or private training. This route can cost about $50 for start-up costs, and then $50-$85 on average per class.
Pilates is an activity that can be practiced on just about any budget. If you practice at home without an instructor, just be sure to research how to avoid injury!
Get started with online Pilates classes, private Pilates classes, mat Pilates classes, and reformer Pilates classes today!
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